The première LGBT Pride March in Marikina City
It was the most pleasant day, with moderate temperatures, dry and Marikina in tender sunshine, ready for its first ever LGBT Pride March; and all 'brought to you' by lgbtBUS.
Marikina is know to be “the shoe capital” and one of cleanest cities in the Metro, and not as if the streets where swept just for this event, the city was by default ready to host the march for equality and love towards all human nature.
Through official numbers, the participants count reached the 400 mark, and that made the organisers and lead of lgbtBUS extremely proud. Regie Pasion, the President of the organisation was the spearhead of bringing lgbtBUS and the local government together in this matter. Thomas Fleckner, the CEO of lgbtBUS delivered a speech of appreciation and pride, combined with a brief history of world wide Pride Marches, its origin.
It was a great honour to welcome the Mayor of Marikina Mr. Marcy Teodoro on stage, who also expressed his sincere support for the event, and his will to continuously do so for these kind of events in his city of Marikina.
The march started next to the Marikina City Health office, and winded through the often historical streets of the city. The side-walks were paved with observers and positively reacting residents. Unlike in other Pride Marches, where some anti-demonstrations occur, there was not a single attempt of interruption or protest against the float; only smiles, and interested eyes reading the messages passing by on banners and tarpaulins, handed over flyers and prints on the participants t-shirts.
lgbtBUS sets its accent on secularism, and this march was a positive example of it, shown by the diversity of groups and organisations participating, and the pure human expression of messages after the march, on the floating stage. The Marikina River was hence the end point of the more than one hour march. Coming down from the city, the participants were welcomed by a truly colourful scenery along that river. A fun fair, a huge market and beautiful bars and restaurants along the river side; and in the middle of all that, the final program of the lgbtBUS Marikina Pride March.
In a truly Filipino style, a beauty contest was held, and cash prizes given out. All organisations that attended, were able to extend their message, and musical performers added joy and happiness to the event.
We as lgbtBUS want to thank the participating organisations:
Amnesty International, PATAS (Philippine Atheist and Agnostics Society), Hapi, Marikina gay association, Bi male Trippers, Metro Bimale society, Barangay Tumana, AIDS Society of the Philippines, Marikina treatment hub, Gender and Development Office.
Amnesty International led the march parade together with the LGBT’s Christian Church, Metro Bi Society, Metropolitan Community Church, Metro Bi Community and quite a number of other LGBT groups within Metro Manila.
LGBTBUS, the CBO (Community Based Organization) partner of Marikina City Health Office and the lead Organizer of the said Pride march would like to thank the Office of Gender and Development (GAD) for fully supporting the LGBT cause.
By Thomas Fleckner
Winner of the contest for best dress
Mayor Marcy Teodoro of Marikina City
Thomas Fleckner, CEO lgbtBUS
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